Boraginaceae
Borage Family
24 genera
79 species
17 subspecies and varieties
79 species
17 subspecies and varieties
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Index to genera:
Adelinia, Amsinckia, Anchusa, Asperugo, Borago, Buglossoides, Cryptantha, Cynoglossum, Echium, Eritrichium, Greeneocharis, Gruvelia, Hackelia, Lappula, Lithospermum, Lycopsis, Mertensia, Myosotis, Oreocarya, Pectocarya, Pentaglottis, Plagiobothrys, Pulmonaria, SymphytumAdelinia grandis – Adeline's hound's-tongue, Pacific hound's-tongue, grand hound
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Washington to California.
Habitat: Forest openings and meadows at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Washington to California.
Habitat: Forest openings and meadows at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Perennial
Amsinckia intermedia – fireweed fiddleneck, rancher's fiddleneck
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Baja California, Mexico, east to Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and west Texas.
Habitat: Balds, meadows, prairies, roadsides, and other open areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Baja California, Mexico, east to Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and west Texas.
Habitat: Balds, meadows, prairies, roadsides, and other open areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Annual
Amsinckia lycopsoides – bugloss fiddleneck, tarweed fiddleneck
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Great Plains, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, grassy slopes, ponderosa pine forest openings, and other open areas from sagebrush desert into the mountains, often associated with some type of disturbance .
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Great Plains, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, grassy slopes, ponderosa pine forest openings, and other open areas from sagebrush desert into the mountains, often associated with some type of disturbance .
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Amsinckia menziesii – harvest fiddleneck, rigid fiddleneck, rancher's fireweed
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California.
Habitat: Open, dry foothills.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California.
Habitat: Open, dry foothills.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Amsinckia retrorsa – harvest fiddleneck, rigid fiddleneck
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Idaho and Utah.
Habitat: Relatively dry and open areas at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Idaho and Utah.
Habitat: Relatively dry and open areas at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Amsinckia spectabilis – seaside amsinckia, seaside fiddleneck
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Coastal dunes or sandy bluffs.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Coastal dunes or sandy bluffs.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. spectabilis – seaside amsinckia, seaside fiddleneck
Amsinckia tessellata – bristly amsinckia, bristly fiddleneck, tessellate fiddleneck
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Idaho, south to New Mexico.
Habitat: Roadsides and dry, open slopes and flats, often in disturbed soil.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Idaho, south to New Mexico.
Habitat: Roadsides and dry, open slopes and flats, often in disturbed soil.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. tessellata – bristly amsinckia, bristly fiddleneck, tessellate fiddleneck
Anchusa azurea – Italian alkanet, Italian bugloss
Distribution: Occurring in scattered localities on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, scattered localities east to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Disturbed soil.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring in scattered localities on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, scattered localities east to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Disturbed soil.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
• var. azurea – Italian alkanet, Italian bugloss
Anchusa officinalis – common alkanet, common bugloss
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains, also from the Great Lakes region to northeastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed, open areas at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Mediterranean region
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains, also from the Great Lakes region to northeastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed, open areas at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Mediterranean region
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Asperugo procumbens – catchweed, madwort
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Great Plains, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, irrigation ditches, and other disturbed open areas where moist.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Great Plains, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, irrigation ditches, and other disturbed open areas where moist.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Borago officinalis – borage, common borage
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across the northern U.S. and Canada to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Waste ground and disturbed soil.
Origin: Introduced from southern Europe
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across the northern U.S. and Canada to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Waste ground and disturbed soil.
Origin: Introduced from southern Europe
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Buglossoides arvensis – corn gromwell, field gromwell
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, and other dry, open, often disturbed sites in sagebrush desert to ponderosa pine forest openings.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, and other dry, open, often disturbed sites in sagebrush desert to ponderosa pine forest openings.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha affinis – quill cat's-eye, common cryptantha, slender cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and South Dakota.
Habitat: Open areas from sagebrush to coniferous forest openings at moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and South Dakota.
Habitat: Open areas from sagebrush to coniferous forest openings at moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha ambigua – basin cat's-eye, obscure cryptantha, wilke's cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to western Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
Habitat: Dry, open places from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to western Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
Habitat: Dry, open places from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha fendleri – sand dune cat's-eye, Fendler's cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains.
Habitat: Sand dunes and very sandy soil at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains.
Habitat: Sand dunes and very sandy soil at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha flaccida – weakstem cat's-eye, flaccid cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; central Washington to southern California, east to Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; central Washington to southern California, east to Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha gracilis – narrow-stem cryptantha, slender cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California east to Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and grassy slopes at low elevations to ponderosa pine forest openings at middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California east to Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and grassy slopes at low elevations to ponderosa pine forest openings at middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha grandiflora – large-flowered cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in southeastern Washington; southeastern Washington to northeastern Oregon, east to Salmon River area in western Idaho.
Habitat: Grasslands, open conifer forest, scree slopes, and volcanic-based substrates.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in southeastern Washington; southeastern Washington to northeastern Oregon, east to Salmon River area in western Idaho.
Habitat: Grasslands, open conifer forest, scree slopes, and volcanic-based substrates.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha intermedia – Clearwater cat's-eye, common cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest and east in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Washington to California, east to western Idaho and northwestern Nevada.
Habitat: Forest openings, open slopes, and remnant balds at low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-September
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest and east in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Washington to California, east to western Idaho and northwestern Nevada.
Habitat: Forest openings, open slopes, and remnant balds at low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-September
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. hendersonii – Henderson's common cryptantha
Cryptantha pterocarya – wingnut cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho, Colorado and Texas.
Habitat: Dry, open, often sandy areas of sagebrush and grasslands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho, Colorado and Texas.
Habitat: Dry, open, often sandy areas of sagebrush and grasslands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. pterocarya – wingnut cryptantha
Cryptantha rostellata – beaked cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert, open slopes and hillsides, typically where dry, at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert, open slopes and hillsides, typically where dry, at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha scoparia – pinyon desert cat's-eye, desert cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California, east to Idaho, Utah, and Nevada.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes in the valleys, plains and foothills, common among sagebrush.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California, east to Idaho, Utah, and Nevada.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes in the valleys, plains and foothills, common among sagebrush.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha simulans – pine woods cat's-eye, pine woods cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and ponderosa pine forest openings, often where disturbed.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and ponderosa pine forest openings, often where disturbed.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Cryptantha torreyana – Torrey's cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon, east to Montana.
Habitat: Open areas, low to mid-elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon, east to Montana.
Habitat: Open areas, low to mid-elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. torreyana – Torrey's cryptantha
Cryptantha watsonii – Watson's cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Open hillsides, sagebrush-steppe plains, and forest openings at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Open hillsides, sagebrush-steppe plains, and forest openings at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Annual
Cynoglossum officinale – common hound's-tongue
Distribution: Widely distributed east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, forest edge, ditches, and other disturbed open areas; noxious weed.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Biennial
Distribution: Widely distributed east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, forest edge, ditches, and other disturbed open areas; noxious weed.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Biennial
Echium vulgare – common viper's bugloss
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed open areas.
Origin: Introduced from Mediterranean region
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed open areas.
Origin: Introduced from Mediterranean region
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Eritrichium argenteum – alpine forget-me-not
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where known only from Chelan County. Washington to Oregon, east to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Coarse, rocky soils of alpine slopes and summits.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where known only from Chelan County. Washington to Oregon, east to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Coarse, rocky soils of alpine slopes and summits.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Greeneocharis circumscissa – cushion cryptantha, matted cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to Baja California, east to Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open, usually sandy places in the lowlands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to Baja California, east to Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open, usually sandy places in the lowlands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Gruvelia pusilla – little gruvelia
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, introduced and disjunct in Chile.
Habitat: Dry, open places at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, introduced and disjunct in Chile.
Habitat: Dry, open places at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Hackelia americana – nodding stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in north-central and northeastern Washington; circumboreal, south to northern Washington, east across northern Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains to northeastern North America.
Habitat: Thickets and open woodland.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in north-central and northeastern Washington; circumboreal, south to northern Washington, east across northern Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains to northeastern North America.
Habitat: Thickets and open woodland.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial
Hackelia ciliata – Okanogan stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in eastern Washington; south-central British Columbia to eastern Washington, possibly northwestern Idaho.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats in areas with sagebrush or ponderosa pine.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in eastern Washington; south-central British Columbia to eastern Washington, possibly northwestern Idaho.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats in areas with sagebrush or ponderosa pine.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Hackelia cinerea – gray stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central and eastern Washington; central Washington to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Open or lightly forested areas, especially on talus or cliffs, and loose stream banks, in valleys and foothills to moderate elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central and eastern Washington; central Washington to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Open or lightly forested areas, especially on talus or cliffs, and loose stream banks, in valleys and foothills to moderate elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Hackelia diffusa – diffuse stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon.
Habitat: Cliffs and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon.
Habitat: Cliffs and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
• var. arida – sagebrush stickseed, steppe stickseed
• var. cottonii – Cotton's stickseed
• var. diffusa – diffuse stickseed
Hackelia floribunda – many-flowered stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Thickets, meadows, stream banks and other moist places, from low elevations to mid-elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Thickets, meadows, stream banks and other moist places, from low elevations to mid-elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Hackelia hispida – hispid stickseed, rough stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central and southeastern Washington; central Washington, and southeastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and adjacent western Idaho.
Habitat: Cliffs and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central and southeastern Washington; central Washington, and southeastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and adjacent western Idaho.
Habitat: Cliffs and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
• var. disjuncta – sagebrush stickseed
• var. hispida – rough stickseed
Hackelia micrantha – meadow forget-me-not, blue stickseed
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Moist, open hillsides seasonally wet forest openings, and riparian corridors from montane to subalpine.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Moist, open hillsides seasonally wet forest openings, and riparian corridors from montane to subalpine.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Hackelia taylorii – Taylor's stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where endemic to Chelan County.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes, often in talus, at middle to high elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where endemic to Chelan County.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes, often in talus, at middle to high elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Hackelia venusta – lesser showy stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where endemic to Chelan County.
Habitat: Rocky slopes with ponderosa pine, at about 1000 feet elevation.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where endemic to Chelan County.
Habitat: Rocky slopes with ponderosa pine, at about 1000 feet elevation.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Lappula longispina – long-spined stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; south-central British Columbia to southwest Idaho.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert, dry slopes, basalt rimrock, and sand dunes
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; south-central British Columbia to southwest Idaho.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert, dry slopes, basalt rimrock, and sand dunes
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial
Lappula occidentalis – western stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and Great Lakes region.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and open, rocky slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and Great Lakes region.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and open, rocky slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. cupulata – cupulate stickseed
Lappula squarrosa – bristly sheepburr, bristly stickseed, common stickseed, European stickseed, bristly-fruited tickweed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east to the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and eastern North America.
Habitat: Shrub-steppe, disturbed areas, roadside.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east to the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and eastern North America.
Habitat: Shrub-steppe, disturbed areas, roadside.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial
Lithospermum incisum – fringed stoneseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where known historically (1926) from Osoyoos Lake area; south-central British Columbia to southwest Montana, east to the Great Plains.
Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes and forest openings.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where known historically (1926) from Osoyoos Lake area; south-central British Columbia to southwest Montana, east to the Great Plains.
Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes and forest openings.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Lithospermum ruderale
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Sasketchewan and the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert to ponderosa pine forest openings, from low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Sasketchewan and the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert to ponderosa pine forest openings, from low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Lycopsis arvensis – annual bugloss, European bugloss, small bugloss
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east sporadically to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Disturbed open areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east sporadically to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Disturbed open areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Annual
• ssp. arvensis – annual bugloss, European bugloss, small bugloss
Mertensia amoena – beautiful bluebells, sagebrush bluebells
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central Washington; central Washington to Montana, south to Wyoming and Utah.
Habitat: Seasonally moist slopes and rocky areas in sagebrush desert.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central Washington; central Washington to Montana, south to Wyoming and Utah.
Habitat: Seasonally moist slopes and rocky areas in sagebrush desert.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Mertensia brachycalyx – short-sepaled bluebells
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to Oregon, east to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Stream and riverbanks, wet meadows, and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to Oregon, east to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Stream and riverbanks, wet meadows, and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Mertensia ciliata – mountain bluebells, streamside bluebells, tall fringed bluebells
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Stream banks, wet meadows, damp thickets, and wet cliffs, from the foothills to high elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Stream banks, wet meadows, damp thickets, and wet cliffs, from the foothills to high elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Mertensia foliosa – leafy bluebells
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.
Habitat: Deeper soils in sagebrush habitat.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.
Habitat: Deeper soils in sagebrush habitat.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Mertensia longiflora – long-flowered bluebells, trumpet bluebells, long-flowered lungwort
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Nevada.
Habitat: Drier areas from low elevation sagebrush deserts to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Nevada.
Habitat: Drier areas from low elevation sagebrush deserts to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Mertensia paniculata – northern bluebell, tall bluebell
Distribution: Widely distributed on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east to Montana, also in the Great Lakes region and eastern Canada.
Habitat: Streambanks and wet meadows at mid-elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Widely distributed on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east to Montana, also in the Great Lakes region and eastern Canada.
Habitat: Streambanks and wet meadows at mid-elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
• var. borealis – northern bluebell
• var. paniculata – tall bluebell
Mertensia platyphylla – broadleaf bluebell
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington, where currently considered endemic.
Habitat: Stream banks and moist, low woods at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington, where currently considered endemic.
Habitat: Stream banks and moist, low woods at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Mertensia umbratilis – shade bluebell
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to Oregon.
Habitat: Forest openings and seasonally moist areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to Oregon.
Habitat: Forest openings and seasonally moist areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Perennial
Myosotis arvensis – field forget-me-not, field scorpion-grass
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon, east across the northern half of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, wastelots, and forest openings, typically associated with disturbance.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon, east across the northern half of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, wastelots, and forest openings, typically associated with disturbance.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Myosotis discolor – yellow and blue forget-me-not, yellow and blue scorpiongrass
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Nevada; also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, wastelots, and other dry to moist open areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: April-August
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Nevada; also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, wastelots, and other dry to moist open areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: April-August
Growth Duration: Annual
Myosotis laxa – bay forget-me-not, small forget-me-not
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Colombia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains; also in the eastern half of North America.
Habitat: In moist soil and shallow water, at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Colombia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains; also in the eastern half of North America.
Habitat: In moist soil and shallow water, at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Myosotis ramosissima – early forget-me-not
Distribution: Occurring in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Balds, prairies, grassy embankments, roadsides, and other disturbed open places at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Europe and Mediterranean region
Flowers: March-May
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Balds, prairies, grassy embankments, roadsides, and other disturbed open places at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Europe and Mediterranean region
Flowers: March-May
Growth Duration: Annual
Myosotis scorpioides – common forget-me-not, true forget-me-not, water forget-me-not
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Wet areas from low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Wet areas from low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Myosotis stricta – blue scorpion-grass
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Balds, prairies, roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed, open moist to dry places.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Balds, prairies, roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed, open moist to dry places.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Myosotis sylvatica – woodland forget-me-not
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Oregon.
Habitat: Roadsides and moist woods at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Oregon.
Habitat: Roadsides and moist woods at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Myosotis verna – early forget-me-not, spring forget-me-not, early scorpion-grass, spring scorpion-grass
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington British Columbia to California, east to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Open, wet to dry places in foothills and lowlands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington British Columbia to California, east to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Open, wet to dry places in foothills and lowlands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial
Oreocarya glomerata – cockscomb oreocarya
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; southern British Colombia to California, east to the northern Great Plains and Colorado.
Habitat: Dry, open places in the valleys, plains and foothills, occasionally higher.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; southern British Colombia to California, east to the northern Great Plains and Colorado.
Habitat: Dry, open places in the valleys, plains and foothills, occasionally higher.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Oreocarya leucophaea – gray oreocarya
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades in central and south-central Washington, where endemic.
Habitat: Dry, usually sandy places at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades in central and south-central Washington, where endemic.
Habitat: Dry, usually sandy places at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Oreocarya spiculifera – Snake River cat's-eye, Snake River oreocarya
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to Oregon and Nevada, east to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats in the plains, valleys and foothills.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to Oregon and Nevada, east to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats in the plains, valleys and foothills.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Oreocarya thompsonii – Thompson's cat's-eye, Thompson's oreocarya
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where endemic to the Wenatchee Mountains and nearby areas.
Habitat: Middle elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where endemic to the Wenatchee Mountains and nearby areas.
Habitat: Middle elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Pectocarya penicillata – shortleaf combseed, winged pectocarya
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Baja California, east to Idaho and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open areas, often in sandy soil and among sagebrush, at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Baja California, east to Idaho and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open areas, often in sandy soil and among sagebrush, at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Pectocarya setosa – bristly combseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Open areas in sagebrush-steppe habitat.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Open areas in sagebrush-steppe habitat.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Pentaglottis sempervirens – green alkanet
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Disturbed soil in forest edge and other shaded areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Disturbed soil in forest edge and other shaded areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Plagiobothrys cognatus – cognate popcorn-flower
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Wet areas in grasslands, sagebrush, and forest openings.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Wet areas in grasslands, sagebrush, and forest openings.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Plagiobothrys cusickii – matted popcorn-flower
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Wet areas and mudflats in sagebrush, grassland, and forest openings.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Wet areas and mudflats in sagebrush, grassland, and forest openings.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Plagiobothrys figuratus – fragrant popcorn-flower
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon.
Habitat: Nonalkaline meadows, low ground, and moist fields.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon.
Habitat: Nonalkaline meadows, low ground, and moist fields.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. figuratus – fragrant popcorn-flower
Plagiobothrys hispidulus – harsh popcorn-flower
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.
Habitat: Moist to dry open areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.
Habitat: Moist to dry open areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Plagiobothrys leptocladus – alkali popcorn-flower, slender-branched popcorn-flower
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to Baja California, east to the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains.
Habitat: Moist clay flats and beds of drying pools; tolerant of alkali.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to Baja California, east to the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains.
Habitat: Moist clay flats and beds of drying pools; tolerant of alkali.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Annual
Plagiobothrys nothofulvus – rusty popcorn-flower
Distribution: Common in the east end of the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Oregon to northern Baja California, east to Nevada.
Habitat: Open slopes, fields and roadsides.
Origin: Native
Flowers: March-May
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Common in the east end of the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Oregon to northern Baja California, east to Nevada.
Habitat: Open slopes, fields and roadsides.
Origin: Native
Flowers: March-May
Growth Duration: Annual
Plagiobothrys scouleri – Scouler's popcorn-flower
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to Wisconsin and New Mexico.
Habitat: Moist areas, foothills to mid-elevations in the mountains, seldom in alkaline areas.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to Wisconsin and New Mexico.
Habitat: Moist areas, foothills to mid-elevations in the mountains, seldom in alkaline areas.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Annual
Plagiobothrys tenellus – Pacific popcorn-flower, slender popcorn-flower
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Baja California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Dry, open places at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Baja California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Dry, open places at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Annual
Symphytum asperum – prickly comfrey, rough comfrey
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, and in scattered locations elsewhere in North America.
Habitat: Roadsides and other disturbed habitats.
Origin: Introduced from Asia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, and in scattered locations elsewhere in North America.
Habitat: Roadsides and other disturbed habitats.
Origin: Introduced from Asia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Symphytum officinale – common comfrey
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, northern Great Plains, and eastward from Great Lakes region to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Escaped from cultivation, often found in disturbed areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, northern Great Plains, and eastward from Great Lakes region to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Escaped from cultivation, often found in disturbed areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Symphytum ×uplandicum – hybrid comfrey
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, and other disturbed habitats.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, and other disturbed habitats.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
